Keep Smiling

Saturday, April 11, 2015

Before & After #3

These were all accentual.Far from cute or pretty, LOLHere is a photo of the house when we bought it.

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Before:

After:

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

I have a Clematis planted below the lamppost,

that is why I have chicken wire wrapped around it:)

We love living in the country,

and we thought that having a tire swing

for our granddaughters, would be a special treat:)

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Before:

After:enjoying our new windows.

Before:

After:

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My Art Barnwas not even on the property.We purchased it and had it moved onto our little acre:)

It is a wonderful place to spread out my projectsand just have fun.

I can just lock the doorand come back to a project whenever the mood hits me.

I love everything about my creative space:)

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Anytime you feel like sipping sun-tea on the front porch,sewing or working on a project together, or swinging on an old fashioned tire swing,come on over . . .if I know you're coming, I'll even bake a cake.

Connie:)

~~~~~*****~~~~~P.S. It was April 3 last year when we got the keys to our little home and started all of these projects.I hadn't realized just how much work we had done, until putting these before and after posts together. Now, I get tired just looking through them, LOL.

68 comments:

Hi Gail, I am very blessed to have that space and truly appreciate it, if you lived closer I would love to invite you over to play with me :) Thanks for your kind words about our progress with the house. It has been a lot of hard work, but we love this little home and want to live out the rest of our days here, so all of that hard work is worth the backaches and sore muscles :)

I noticed the tire swing right away!!! You guys have done an amazing job on making your home a "Home Sweet Home" and your art barn is awesome! Sure enjoyed seeing all the hard work you have done. I would love to come to visit and sit on your front porch.warmly,deb

You and me both....I am pooped just looking at what you two have done. I am sorry to say....don't think husband and I could accomplish all you have done to your little cottage....I give you kudos. I wish we loved closer.....I would be over visiting you.Louise

Hi Connie, I don't need a piece of cake but it would be so fun to sew together! Little too far to drive though! Too bad you still didn't live in Michigan City! I have enjoyed your before and after pictures. You are so organized and I love the barn where you can store all your stuff to create with. Thanks for sharing. Nancy

You have done an amazing job with that house inside and out. I'm sure that your neighbors even love it. Even the grass looks happier in your after shots.....lol That art barn is a crafters dream. I would love to come hang out with you, I wish we lived closer

Hi Ann, we have had an early spring, plus the yard did get cared for more last year, so they both have got something to do with them being a little greener, but I think it is mostly because we are having such and early spring. I already have peas and lettuce coming up in one of my boxes. It would be so much fun hanging out with you and making crafts together :)

Hello Cathy-Lynn, it has been a non-stop project, but now we are able to slow down a bit and enjoy this summer . . . except for the fact that I am doubling our garden space with above ground garden boxes. We had so much fun last year growing our own vegetables that we want to try more things in the garden this year. This country living truly agrees with us :)

Hello Connie...Congratulations on all the work you've done on your sweet house! Oh, that special art area is WONDERFUl. You are so lucky! And it's filled with light and sunshine. Perfect. You are both working hard and it shows. Thanks for sharing with us. Susan

Hi Susan, I am so happy that you stopped by to visit and thank you for your kind words. We lived in our old house for thirty years and put so much into it, during those years . . . we really were afraid that we would miss it, but NO! We absolutely love this little place and all the hard work, has just made us love it more. It is Home :)

Hi Susie, our goal was to bring it back to a nicer version of how a little cottage like this should look . . . without losing the vintage feel of the home :) Thank you for your comment, it sounds like we did what we were intending and it shows, that makes me happy :)

It is absolutely amazing how much work you've done inside and outside your home, especially in one short year! I was just showing all the photos to my husband and he was astounded, too. You two have done more work in that one year than we've done in 25 years!!

Hi Melanie, well, we have been going none stop. That meant a year without boating, camping, just about anything except playing. I'm not complaining because I feel like that's what we needed to do, but I am looking forward to having a little fun this year:) All work and no play makes Steve and Connie a dull couple, LOL

Evening Connie, Your home is so sweet and full of Love! I know the work has been tiring (how do I know that?) but so worth it in the end! I think your house is so adorable...full of new-olde fashioned sweetness and style. Ken and I still have plenty to do...we actually had to take a break in the Winter months. There were still things to do inside but we didn't have it in us.......Spring has sprung and we are out in the yard going at it again! Loved all your pics from where you started....it is truly a labor of Love......Blessings~~~Roxie

Hi Roxie, my soul-mate sister in renovations. It has been so much work, if we had known a head of time how much it would be, I'm not sure we would have taken it all on. The Lord is sweet that way . . . it has been a journey of patience and perseverance . . . and at the end of this journey is this home that we deary love and want to live in, until our final days. We consider this place a true blessing, we could not have ever imagined how much we love living here. We still have things to do, but nothing that can't be put on a back burner for a while :) Spring is a lovely time for you to get started again . . . spring seems to always hold so many possibilities :)

Your porch area is such a transformation. I love the brilliant blue floor and the white railings you added. And the tire swing is like a picture book. But wait a minute - an art barn? Oh. my. goodness. This is truly an oasis. And you need it - you are always creating wonderful things.

Dear Connie,What a difference your little cottage is now. I remember well, when you bought it, and also the barn. The barn now your art and sewing room.. looks so pretty.. you are very talented Connie. You and Steve have done wonders its just beautiful.. love the swing for the children.You also have a lovely country view.I enjoyed seeing the before and after.wishing you a very happy week.val xxI sure would love to drop in and have a cup of tea with you..

Hello Kerin, it has been a hard year, with a lot of sore muscles, but everything is coming together and we love our little country home. It suits us to a tea. We feel blessed and grateful to be living here. We love this little bit of country life and we have the best neighbors anyone could ever have . . . I can't say enough about how much we love it here. If you are ever planning on being in this part of the country, let me know and I'll bake that cake and put the kettle on:)

Well I'd come over but I'm afraid you'd put me to work! You two remind me of US! Work Work Work! I love before and after pictures. And that is one thing I love about blogging. Seeing how far you have come with the place. I look back at the blog on our house when I start getting down about not being finished. We are hoping to move upstairs this year. Hey about the mudroom light, if you know how to do electrical, or know someone that does, how about putting up a couple of sconce lights amongst the pictures, and take the one on the ceiling down. Then you wouldn't have to worry about hitting your head. Just an idea.Take care,Cindy Bee

Cindy, you had be laughing so hard with your first line that I choked on my coffee, LOL. Wow! That is a wonderful idea . . . you are such a smart girl. I don't know if that would mean tearing the wall out or not, but it is certainly a very delightful option.

Goodness Connie, you two have just worked your hearts into your little country cottage without stopping. The end result looks like it has been worth every minute of it. I hope you will now be able to truly enjoy the many fruits of your labor. I love everything you have done both inside and out. Put your feet up girl! You've earned it! :)

Hi Gloriade, Our neighbors were just asking me, when I intend on slowing down and taking a break. I told them maybe in May . . . by the end of May everything should be planted and most of our work finished for a while:) I intend on having some fun this summer. I even bought a hammock :)

Hi Connie. I can see myself on your front porch having iced tea with you and Steve! My aunt had a tire swing at her house and I loved it as a kid. The year has gone by fast, hasn't it. I love the new windows.Thanks for visiting me. I had a blast making my journal. Hopefully I'll post it on Sunday.Hugs,Kay

Hi Kay, our granddaughters haven't visited since Thanksgiving, but sometime this summer when they visit they will get to try out that swing:) That is why I wanted it in a tree close to the porch . . . Grandma and Grandpa can sit comfortably while watching them play :) Your journal is so cool and the fact that you are making it, not just buying one to write in ( Like I do) is so special. I can not wait to see it finished. I have a book on book building, but I have never taken the time to try my hand at it. It looks very tricky. I'll be over on Sunday to take a peek :)

ConnieYour home is so warm and inviting! What a difference adding railing to your porch and painting it a crisp white has made.And the beautiful landscaping-wow. I would love to have my own little barn to tinker in. I bet it brings you loads of joy!

Hi, moving here a year ago, has made so many changes in our way of life. We love everything about it and can hardy wait to start another garden this year. Our little house, with a shop for Steve and a creative barn for me, along with space for gardening is an absolute dream come true :)

Hello Randy, thank you for stopping in to say "Hi". Santa Fe is such an artsy town and I love the mix of Navajo and Mexican culture. The architecture, the art and the food, oh my! I really hope we make it some day:)

Good Morning Nancy, I'm happy that you like the improvements that we have made . . . we have more to do in the kitchen and well, there is always things to do, right:) Owning your own home is an on going project. I know that you are very excited to get your new home finished and I love the vintage style that you are using. Have a very happy and productive weekend:)

Hi Rosemary, While this house was on the market, many people wanted to look at it, but they all shied away from buying it, when they saw all the work that needed to be done. All the better for us. "One man's junk is another man's treasure" LOL.

Wow you have done alot of work and it is all worth it, your home looks wonderful, and I can't get over your art barn that is fantastic, I would love to have that space to create in, so happy for you :)

I can't believe how much work you've done in such a short time, Connie. You have totally transformed the place and put your unique stamp on it, and created a beautiful and delightful home! I love reading about your exploits and seeing your imagination at work!

Thank you for your lovely comment, and for your continuing prayers which I so appreciate. Yes, it is very, very good to be home, and sleeping in my own bed again. My recovery is going pretty well - it's early days and I still feel pretty weak, and I'm having some skin irritation problems but the stoma nurse has this in hand. I had my histology results on Monday and the news isn't as good as I had hoped - the cancer was very aggressive and had spread right through the bowel wall, and into one lymph node (but thankfully not beyond that) - although they took all that away, I shall now have to have some chemotherapy. My oncology appointment is on 5th May. Hopefully it will be a single course of oral chemo and that it won't make me feel too poorly - I feel I've had my fair share for now! It's a small price to pay for survival though, isn't it.

Welcome Home, Shoshi! Well, I don't know about it being a small price, I've never been through anything like that and hopefully never will. My prayers have not stopped . . . you just do everything that you can on your end and listen to your doctor and nurses. The Good Lord loves you and is here through every minute of everyday. God bless you.Thanks for visiting and for all the kind words about our little home. We love living here:)

My dear Connie, you and Steve are definitely magicians! What you have done to your home is incredible and I am so impressed and inspired. Look what you have done in just a year....my goodness, we've been here 35 years and still sooooo much to do! xx

Hello Jane, so good to hear from you. When you are a home owner there is always something that needs doing; this house was more than a few jobs, but now we are settle in and can take our time on the rest. We are so happy that we made the choice to sell our old home and move into this one. Having space for a garden is an amazing benefit. We have to pinch ourselves all the time . . . loving living in the country:)

Hi Connie. Wow! I just spent some fun time looking at all of your before and after photos. Clearly, you have a good and creative mind to see the potential in what you bought. A lot of hard work, but it definitely paid off. YAY for you!!!

Hi Jacque, for us it is a dream come true . . . we love our new country life and having an acre of land is like owning a ranch to us. We have lived in a very tight community for 33 years and we feel so free having this much space:) It's been a lot of work, but so very much worth every bit of it. Thank you for visiting and for following my blog. I truly appreciate your thoughtfulness and I'm looking forward to a lovely blogging relationship:)

About Me

Hi, my name is Connie and I’m so pleased that you’ve found my blog. I'm a woman of simple pleasures. Like John Denver, "Sunshine makes me happy!" and other things that make me happy are my husband of 41 years, my lovely daughter and my two delightful granddaughters. I have a passion for life and all things creative. Three years ago we purchased a small country home on an acre of land, which for us is huge. Every day brings with it a new adventure. The fixing up, of our little fixer-upper and the mowing of that huge yard is going to give me the exercise and creative projects that I need to stay forever young. I am enjoying my journey, life is good!

Please do not copy or reproduce any photos, art work or written work on my blog. I love sharing, but like to be asked first.All photographs and art work are by me, unless otherwise noted.If you see a craft or greeting card that you want to copy, by that I mean take the idea and run with it, feel free. Crafts are for sharing,but photos and paintings are copyrighted. Thank you.

My welcome mat is always out and I want to thank you for stopping by . . . Please leave a comment so I know who came to visit and so I can reply. I have met so many lovely people through blogging and I am grateful for each and every new friend. Come again, real soon . . . Connie :)